Bubble wrap tube toy

ABSTRACT

A tube toy made up of a fabric sleeve having a tubular shape with bubble wrap material disposed within the fabric sleeve.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to toys, and in particular to floating toys for use in a body of water, such as a pool, lake or ocean.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A tube toy according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention comprises: a fabric sleeve having a tubular shape; and bubble wrap material disposed within the fabric sleeve.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the bubble wrap material comprises at least one rolled sheet of bubble wrap material.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the fabric sleeve is made of one or more fabric materials selected from the following: nylon, rayon, polyester, cotton, silk, wool, and spandex.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the fabric sleeve is water resistant.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the fabric sleeve comprises a water resistant coating.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the water resistant coating is made of one or more materials selected from the following: wax, rubber and polyvinyl chloride.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the fabric sleeve is water permeable.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the tube toy further comprises an insert extending through the bubble wrap material.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the insert is tubular in shape.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the insert is made of polyethylene.

A method of forming a tube toy according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention comprises the steps of: forming a fabric sleeve having a tubular shape; and inserting bubble wrap material into the fabric sleeve.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the step of forming the fabric sleeve comprises the steps of: attaching edge portions of a plurality of fabric sheets so as to form a preliminary fabric sleeve, with edge portions of at least two of the plurality of fabric sheets remaining unattached to one another so as to form an opening; and turning the preliminary fabric sleeve inside out.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the step of attaching comprises sewing.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the step of inserting bubble wrap material comprises inserting the bubble wrap material through the opening in the preliminary fabric sleeve.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the step of forming the fabric sleeve comprises attaching the unattached edge portions of the preliminary fabric sleeve together after the step of inserting the bubble wrap material so as to form a completed fabric sleeve.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the step of forming the fabric sleeve comprises forming a water resistant coating on the fabric sleeve.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the method further comprises the step of disposing an insert through the bubble wrap material.

These and other features of this invention are described in, or are apparent from, the following detailed description of various exemplary embodiments of this invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully understood with reference to the following, detailed description of illustrative embodiments of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tube toy according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the tube toy of FIG. 1 with a portion of the outer sleeve removed;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the tube toy of FIG. 1 with the outer sleeve completely removed; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a preliminary outer sleeve as formed during a method of forming the tube toy of FIG. 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Various exemplary embodiments of the present invention are directed to a tube toy for use in a body of water, such as, for example, a pool, lake or ocean. Tubular shaped toys for use in water are commonly known and often referred to as “water noodles”. However, these toys are conventionally made of a foam material, which does not allow the toy to easily bend for packaging and storage. Thus, the foam toy tends to take up excessive shelf space and is difficult to transport. The use of foam material also results in a relatively heavy product, which can lead to injury if the product is used improperly (e.g., if the toy is used to playfully hit another person). Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a tube toy that is relatively light in weight and which has enough flexibility to allow for easy packaging and storage.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tube toy, generally designated by reference number 1, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The tube toy 1 includes an outer sleeve 10 made up of a fabric material. The tube toy 1 may be 3 to 4 feet in length, for example, or any other suitable length, and may have a diameter of 2 to 3 inches, for example, or any other suitable diameter. According to an exemplary embodiment, the tube toy 1 may be used for a variety of purposes, including, for example, play, physical therapy and swim training.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the tube toy 1 with a portion of the outer sleeve 10 removed to show the interior of the tube toy 1. The interior of the tube toy 1 may be filled with a bubble wrap material 12 to provide the tube toy 1 with structural support and buoyancy. The bubble wrap material 12 may be made of, for example, polyethylene. The bubble wrap material 12 may extend completely throughout the tube toy 1, or alternatively voids may be formed within the tube toy 1 which do not include any bubble wrap material. In any case, the bubble wrap material 12 allows the tube toy 1 to be readily bent or otherwise deformed into appropriate shapes for storage, transport, packaging or display on a store shelf. The voids within the tube toy 1 may provide even more flexibility and reduced weight.

FIG. 3 shows the tube toy 1 with the outer sleeve 10 removed. As shown, the bubble wrap material 12 may be made up of a single rolled up sheet of bubble wrap. However, it should be appreciated that the bubble wrap material 12 may be composed of any number of rolled or un-rolled sheets. For example, in exemplary embodiments, the tube toy 1 may be stuffed with crumpled sheets of bubble wrap.

As shown in dashed lines in FIG. 3, an insert 14 may extend through the bubble wrap material 12. The insert 14 may be made of, for example, polyethylene foam, and may have a cylindrical shape. The insert 14 may be included within the tube toy 1 to provide additional buoyancy and to help the tube toy 1 retain its shape after storage or packaging.

The outer sleeve 10 may be made of any suitable fabric material, such as, for example, nylon, rayon, polyester, cotton, silk, wool and spandex. In an exemplary embodiment, the fabric material is water resistant, or includes a water resistant coating, such as, for example, wax, rubber or polyvinyl chloride. The fabric material may be of any suitable color or colors and may include a design, such as, for example, a repeating pattern of one or more shapes, letters or words. In an exemplary embodiment, the color and/or design on the fabric may provide information, such as, for example, identification of a player in a game or competition using the tube toy 1. Alternatively, the outer sleeve may be water permeable and made of porous fabric material.

As shown in FIG. 4, the tube toy 1 may be made by attaching together edge portions of a plurality of fabric sheets to form a preliminary outer sleeve 20. Edge portions of at least two of the plurality of fabric sheets may be kept unattached to one another so as to form an opening 22 in the preliminary outer sleeve 20. The edge portions may be attached to one another using, for example, sewing. If sewing is used, the preliminary fabric sleeve is then preferably turned inside out so as to hide the stitching. The bubble wrap material 12 may then be inserted into the preliminary outer sleeve 20 through the opening 22. The opening may then be closed by, for example, sewing, so as to form a completed outer sleeve 10.

Now that embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described in detail, various modifications and improvements thereon will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the spirit and scope of the present invention is to be construed broadly and not limited by the foregoing specification. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A tube toy comprising: a fabric sleeve having a tubular shape; and bubble wrap material disposed within the fabric sleeve.
 2. The tube toy of claim 1, wherein the bubble wrap material comprises at least one rolled sheet of bubble wrap material.
 3. The tube toy of claim 1, wherein the fabric sleeve is made of one or more fabric materials selected from the following: nylon, rayon, polyester, cotton, silk, wool and spandex.
 4. The tube toy of claim 1, wherein the fabric sleeve is water resistant.
 5. The tube toy of claim 4, wherein the fabric sleeve comprises a water resistant coating.
 6. The tube toy of claim 5, wherein the water resistant coating is made of one or more materials selected from the following: wax, rubber and polyvinyl chloride.
 7. The tube toy of claim 1, wherein the fabric sleeve is water permeable.
 8. The tube toy of claim 1, further comprising an insert extending through the bubble wrap material.
 9. The tube toy of claim 8, wherein the insert is tubular in shape.
 10. The tube toy of claim 8, wherein the insert is made of polyethylene.
 11. A method of forming a tube toy comprising the steps of: forming a fabric sleeve having a tubular shape; and inserting bubble wrap material into the fabric sleeve.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of forming the fabric sleeve comprises the steps of: attaching edge portions of a plurality of fabric sheets so as to form a preliminary fabric sleeve, with edge portions of at least two of the plurality of fabric sheets remaining unattached to one another so as to form an opening; and turning the preliminary fabric sleeve inside out.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of attaching comprises sewing.
 14. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of inserting bubble wrap material comprises inserting the bubble wrap material through the opening in the preliminary fabric sleeve.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of forming the fabric sleeve comprises attaching the unattached edge portions of the preliminary fabric sleeve together after the step of inserting the bubble wrap material so as to form a completed fabric sleeve.
 16. The method of claim 12, wherein the bubble wrap material comprises at least one rolled sheet of bubble wrap material.
 17. The method of claim 12, wherein the fabric sleeve is made of one or more fabric materials selected from the following: nylon, rayon, polyester, cotton, silk, wool and spandex.
 18. The method of claim 12, wherein the fabric sleeve is water resistant.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the step of forming the fabric sleeve comprises forming a water resistant coating on the fabric sleeve.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the water resistant coating is made of one or more materials selected from the following: wax, rubber and polyvinyl chloride.
 21. The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of disposing an insert through the bubble wrap material.
 22. The method of claim 21, wherein the insert is tubular in shape.
 23. The method of claim 21, wherein the insert is made of polyethylene.
 24. The method of claim 12, wherein the fabric sleeve is water permeable. 